When I ask my grandparents about their time at university in the late 50s, they often mention the Philippine Collegian. The Collegian, or Kulê, is the University of the Philippines Diliman’s official student publication, established officially in 1922 but operating even earlier under the name ‘College Folio’ from 1910. On a recent trip to Manila, I had the chance to sit with Managing Editor, Reg Dipasupil, who described the paper as part of a “very vibrant” landscape of student journalism in the Philippines (the list of official Philippine student publications on Wikipedia is truly impressive). A glance at the Collegian Website will give any reader an idea of the paper’s staunch and radical values; however, digging a little deeper into its history will unearth a strong and continued narrative of rebellion that works alongside the modern history of the Philippines.
A Brief History of Kulê
The Collegian has been deeply shaped by Philippine political life and affairs since its inception. Violent Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II forced the Collegian to cease publication until 1947. The resumption of publication saw the paper emerge with a distinct anti-colonial perspective, and throughout the 50s the paper would greatly engage with issues of academic freedom as well as ideas of Philippine nationhood and sovereignty.
During the Marcos dictatorship from 1972-1986, the paper was forced to operate underground in defiance of a nationwide media blackout. Kulê became another victim of this heavy media repression and censorship orchestrated by the regime. Reg credits the martial law years as the period in which the activist newspaper format began to assemble. This underground newspaper became known as the “Rebel Collegian.” Student activists and journalists across the Philippines were violently threatened by media crackdowns and the erosion of democracy. Many of these staunch activists who continued to protest and publish anti-dictatorial content became martyred for their cause. Ditto Sarmiento is one of the most famous ex-editors of the Philippine Collegian, a staunch journalist who was continuously critical of the Marcos regime through his editorials, and was subsequently imprisoned and eventually martyred. He became one of many student journalists impacted by the Marcos administration. It is our responsibility to remember their names, lives, and commitment to the struggle for justice.
Notably, the Rebel Collegian has never stopped circulation. It has emerged 4 times across Collegian history to address specific and political issues across both the nation and campus. Though it is not published consistently or frequently, its most recent issue came out in 2018. According to ‘This is not your regular collegian’ in the 2018 edition, Rebel Kulê proudly publishes on topics excluded from mainstream media. It has “indeed faced down tyranny and helped topple a dictator.” Needless to say, it is well worth the read.
The long tradition of activism continues as the beating heart and ethos of the Collegian. Filipino contemporary history has been meticulously covered and covered again, often against the grain of dominant social attitudes and political ideas. The Collegian remains a testament to an upcoming generation dedicated to truth and justice.
Student Journalism in the Philippines: Solidarity across the future
The Collegian office is spacious and airy with a view that overlooks a green campus, tucked away on one of the upper levels of the Student Union Building. Reg brings us back to the archives in front of us; leather-bound books that immortalise years worth of student writing and publication, delicate ex-editions, and shiny new papers. He notes the publication itself is positioned “to all aspects of UP community and readership… not necessarily just UP Students.” The variety of issues covered by the Collegian still extends well beyond the bounds of the UP Diliman campus, stemming from this long tradition of activism.
Though Reg notes the ‘tameness’ of present-day censorship at the Diliman campus, even of articles critical of UP administration, he mentions this is not the case for every student publication in the Philippines, with many cases of bureaucracy withholding funds to outlets seeking to publish unfavourable articles. As with many student publications, insecure funding has historically been an issue that pervades the present day.
Reg mentions that there are two broader journalistic networks available to the Collegian for support; the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and UP Solidaridad (Honi is in awe). The CEGP is the only-existing publications alliance in the Asia-Pacific, whose history is worth delving into in its own right. UP Solidaridad was formed as an alliance of UP campus journalists and now acts as the “UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organisations.” Most recently, UP Solidaridad convened its 58th convention of the general assembly of student councils in Pampanga, an annual conference dedicated to platforming issues faced by student publications across the UP network and enforcing solidarity with one another.
It passed 9 motions that are indicative of the issues faced by student journalists. Those were; (1) demand dedicated student publication office spaces, (2) urge members to condemn the eviction of student publication Today’s Carolinian from its office, (3) intensify releases on the anti-imperialism campaign, (4) strengthen capacity building and engage in electoral discussions for the 2025 midterm elections, (5) intensify the campaign on the impeachment complaints against Sara Duterte, vice president of the Philippines, (6) pressure the national government to increase budget allocation for the UP system and capacitate members to report on underfunding, (7) enact a campaign enhancing political participation of students in student council elections, (8) strengthen the anti-mandatory military service (ROTC) campaign as a vanguard of the anti-fascist movement and (9) expose the legal gaps in local or nationwide issues within the basic farmer and fisherfolk sectors.
As with Honi, Collegian editors aspire to restore the publication to pre-pandemic popularity levels as a long-term goal, both re-establishing trust and presence within the UP community, as well as ensuring the continued publication of print issues to high standards. As it currently stands, Kulê is the “biggest it’s ever been,” with over 50 members, inclusive of writers and editors. The standard of journalism continues to be incredibly high with editorship being bestowed by merit. Prospective writers are asked to complete an examination on their respective portfolios before being offered positions. Despite this, editors and writers come from a multitude of disciplines which best reflects the variety of students on campus (including Reg who studies Physics!)
There is undoubtedly much that Australian student publications can learn from the Collegian. Reg, and the team behind the Collegian, are incredibly talented and hardworking journalists. The history of the paper itself is deeply powerful, and its present organisation persists and upholds this tradition of unity and might all-too-well. In a time where news media has too often lost its bite, the Collegian is a reminder of the journalistic obligation to truth and justice. Honi Soit is inspired by the Collegian, and encourages all readers to support our friends across the Pacific through following @phkule on all social media.
